Hydraulic gate



Sept. 13, 1927.

w. 5. LEE ET AL HYDRAULIC GATE Filed Ocjc. 4, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TORS v Pt i! Ham 8'- L 22 "Richard Pfa 6h BY Den/(Ia Nabaw lerTTORNEY Sept. 13, 1927.

W. S. LEE ET AL HYDRAULIC GATE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 901;. 4. 1924 I lJ IN VEN TORS William .9. Lee Richard PfaeZ/f BY Dav id Naow TTORNEY 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 13, 1927.

w. 5. LEE ETIAL HYDRAULIC GATE Filed Oct. 4. i924 Patented Sept. 13,1927.

UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM s. we, RICHARD PFAEHLER, AND DAVID NABOW, or CHARLOTTE, NORTHCAROLINA.

HYDRAULIC GATE.

Application filed Octoher 4, 1924. Serial Ito. 741,575.

This invention is an improvement hydraulic gates, and withrespect to itsmore specific features, in gates of the butterfly yr Gates of thecharactenin question are large and heavy and difficult totransport in a.unitary structure, Moreover because of the great pressure of the waterwhich they are designedto control, it is difficult to secure aliquid-tight joint between the gate and the frame. The pressure exertedby the water tends to cause deflection of the gate, and this deflectionis along oneaxis of the gate, the axis upon which the gate swings.

. It is desirablethat along this line thegate be particularly resistantto bending stresses, but it may be less resistant along other axes. Afeasible method of obtaining this increased resistance with a minimuminereasein cost, is to make the gate of greater thickness along thesaidaxis. I There is a limit, however, beyond which increase in size isnot practical, and additional strength must be gained by the use ofmaterials of a nature more resistant to the peculiar stresses than thoseusually used, with a consequent increase in the cost t-b g s,

Thegates are usually operated to open and close by a rigid connectingmember, which is moved longitudinally, ineitherdirection by asuitablemotor. The gates are usuallyat a distance from the motor, andthe operator thereof isnot in a position to know when they are fullyclosed. An indicator is relied upon, and if thereis-adelay in thechecking of the motor at the proper time over travelof the rigidconnecting member results, with consequent'liability to bucklingorbending of the same.

An object of the present inventio'nis to provide a gate of a charactersuch that any portion thereof along a selected axis may be of a materialhighly resistant to the stresses to which itwill be subjected, while theremainder of the gate is of a material less highly resistant and lessexpensive, the arrangement permitting also the gate to be iiiatle insections for convenience in trans-- portation and setting.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may behereinafter appear, the invention consists in the elements and theirrelationone to the other, as hereinafter defined in theappended claims,reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof,Which show a preferred embodiment of apparatus for carrying out themethod, andin which:

, F 1 is a vertical section through the penstock and gate.

2 is a lan View of the gate looking at the inlet sidii. I Figs, 3, 4, 5and 6,. are sections on thelines 3 3; 44; 55 and 66, respectively, ofFig. 2. I I I I I Fig? is an enlarged detailin section at the edge of,the gate, showing the sealing mechanism for the edge. a I

F ig. 8 is a detail in section of the opposite edge of the gate,

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9 9 of Fig. 1-.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the mechanism for moving the screw.

In the present embodiment of the invention the improved I, gate is shownin connection with a penstock -1, the gate to be describedbeing arrangedin a passage 2, leading from the bottom of the pen-stock, and nearthecommencement of the said passage. The usual rack 3 is provided forfending drift froni thegate. I I. I II The improyed gate comprises acentral section or axis .7, substantially square in cross sectio andpreferably of material develo.pi ng s light deflection under relativelyhigh stresses, as for instance, cast steel, and lateral sections orwings 8 and 9, which may be of a material having lower tensile anddeflectingproperties, as for instance, cast 1ro1i. The wings 8 and 9 aresomewhat similar, and they are secured to opposite sides of the centralsection. or aXis by connections at each faceof the gate, the connectionsat one face being, entirely independent of those at the-other face.

In the present instance at the inlet face of the gate, that is that facetoward which the water flows, tl ie wings are directly connected acrossthe fajce of the central portion, by means of a series of connectingmeans 10, holts in the present instance. Referring to Figs. 2, a and 5it will be noticed that each of the wings is provided on the inlet faceof the gate with a groovell extending parallel with the axis of thegate, and there is a series of parallel grooves 12 extending from eachgroove ll toward the central section of the gate. The inlet face of thecentral section of the gate is recessed at the center thereof along theaxis of the gate as iiidicated at 13, and a plurality of series oftransversely extending grooves 14 is provided one at each side of therecess 13 and communicating therewith. The grooves 14 of the two seriesare in alinement, and they are spaced to aline with the grooves 12 ofthe wings, when the wings are properly placed with respect to thecentral section. Thus there is provided, when the parts are properlyplaced, a series of alining, transverse passages connecting the grooves11 of the wings, and the connecting means, for directly connecting thewings are received within these passages. The bolts are arranged in thepassages above mentioned, with the heads of the bolts in the groove 11of one wing, and the nuts 10 of the bolts in the groove of the otherwing. By means of the nuts the wings may be drawn tightly against thecentral section. lVhile bolts and nuts are shown for directly connectingthe wings, any other character of connection might be used with equalfacility.

At the opposite face of the gate, the sections of the gate, that is theaxis and the win s, are connected by a plurality of series of bolts andnuts 15. Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it will be seen that'the axis ofthe gate and the wings are chambered, being in fact of hollowconstruction, and the bolts 15 are passed through openings in the websor walls of the chambers. Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that thewebs or walls 16 and 17 of the central and lateral sectionsrespectively, do not abut, except near the faces of the gate, thecentral sections of the web being spaced apart. The bolts 15 are passedthrough these walls, and through reinforcing lugs 18 from within theaxis, the nuts engaging the bolts within the chambers at the wings. Aseries of bolts and nuts 15 is provided for connecting each wing to theaxis.

The axis 7 of the gate is shown as chambered, and at each end it isprovided with means for mounting the gate to swing upon a diametricalaxis, that is upon the axis of the central portion. The said means inthe present instance are trunnions 19, a trunnion being provided at eachend of the gate, and the trunnions are suitably journalled in the wallsof the pen stock. In the present instance passages 20 are provided,leading from the top of the pen stock to the point where the trunnionsare jour nalled, to facilitate the setting of the gate, or the removalthereof. Suitable bushing members 21, preferably of bronze, may beprovided for the trunnions.

In order to provide a tight joint between the upper wing edge and thewall of the passageway, angle pieces 22 are inset in the top and sidewalls of the passage, being held in place by anchor bolts 23. Oneportion of each angle piece projects beyond .the face of the Wall, and astrip 24 of resilient material, as for instance thin copper, is securedto this extended portion of each piece, by means of bolts and nuts 25.The extended angle pieces 22 are inset in positions, such that when thegate is closed, the edge of the upper wing remote from the axis of thegate will register with the extended portion of each angle piece, andwill contact with the resilient strip 24. \Vhen the gate is closed thestrips span the opening at the free edges of the wing, making awatertight joint, since the water pressure forces the strips into closecontact with the gate. In order to prevent the strips 24 from being bentout of shape by the rush of water when the gate is open or by thepassage of the drift, a shield 26, is arranged on the inlet side of eachstrip, each shield being in the form of an angle bar, one portionsecured to the opposite wall by screw bolts 27 or the like, and theother extending in front of the adjacent strip 24 on the inlet side.

Mechanism is provided for moving the gate to open and closed position,the said mechanism including a suitable motor, indicated at 28, of anypreferred construction, and a rigid connecting member 29 fortransmitting the movement of the motor to the gate. The connectingmember 29 is pivoted at one end to the gate, and at the other end to across head 30, which moves in guides 31 on the pen stock wall. The crosshead is connected to means moved directly by the motor, as for instance,a screw 31, and it will be obvious that when the screw is moved ineither direction, by the motor, the movement thereof will be transmittedto the gate. At its lower end the connecting member is received betweena pair of lugs 32 on the gate, and near that edge of the gate which willbe lowest when the gate is closed. Alos't motion connection is providedbetween the cross-head and the gate. In the present instance thisconnection is provided for by pivotally and slidably connecting theconnecting member to the lugs, by means of a cross pin 33 connectingthelugs and passing through a slot 34 in the connecting member. A lostmotion connection is thus provided between the motor and the gate, tocompensate for over travel of the motor.

In order to insure closing of the gate in all positions, should theconnecting member 29 become broken, for instance, or fail to functionfor any reason, the gate is suitably counter-weighted. Referring to Fig.4, it will be noticed that the wings 8 and 9 taper toward their freeedges, and that a portion of each wing adjacent to the free edge issolid, as indicated at 35 and 36, respectively. The solid portion 36 isof greater width than the portion 35, thus providing additional weightat that portion of the gate which will be lowest when the gate isclosed. Addiemma tional weig t may be necessary'at this side, and meansis provided to facilitate the addition of more weight. The said means'isin the form of rods 37, which are cast integral with the counter-weight36, so that additional weight may be connected therewith, as forinstance, more metal, or concrete, the additional weight being insertedthrough sundry of the openings 38, with which the webs and Walls of theaXis and wings are provided. In order to facilitate-the handling ofthegate port-ions during transportation, or during installation,perforated lugs 39 are provided on the inlet face of the wings, the saidlugs being adapted for the attachment :of hoisting or securingmechanism. It will be noticed,

referring to Fig. 4, that the openings 38 are on the outletside of thegate, none being provided on the inlet side.

In order to facilitate opening of the gate, which involves the liftingof the counterweighted side of the gate, and against the weight ofwater, the wing 8 is of some greater width than the wing 9. Since theimproved gate is used in practically a horizontal plane, the horizontalcomponent of the water is substantially negligible.

In Fig. 10 mechanism is shown for moving the screw, which opens andcloses the gate, means being provided in connection therewith, operatedby the screw, to control the usual overload release forming part of themotor control thereby to stop the motor when the gate is fully closed.

As shown, the screw 31 is threaded through a nut 40 arranged within agear housing 41 supported at the top of the penstock.

The nut 40 has rigid therewith a miter gear wheel 42, which :meshes with.a similar gear 48 on a' horizontal stub-shaft 44 journaled in bearings,supported by .the gear housing. A gear 45 is secured to the shaftoutside of the gear housing, and the wheel meshes with a pinion 46 on:the shaft 147 of a suitable electric motor 48. By means of the motor,the nut 40 may 'be rotated, thereby to lift and lower the screw, to openand close the gate.

Just above the miter gear 42 a pair of disks 49 and 50 is mounted,loosely on the screw, and the disks, which are withinan extension 51 ofthe gear housing, are normally pressed away from each other bycoilsprings 52, the said springs being arranged'b'etween The lower disk 50rests upon 'a the disks. collar 58 which is rigid with the miter gearand nut, and whichhas a friction ring '54 secured to the edge'thereof,for "engagement bythe disk. A head is threaded onto the upper end ofthescrew, the head extending through the upper end of theextension 49, intoa substantially cylindrical casing 56, which is supported by the head ofthe extension'5'1, being secured thereto.

scribed.

The 0 eration of the parts just described, is as f0 lows. When the motoris running, the screw 31 will be moved longitudinally, the directiondepending upon the direction of movement of the motor. When the screw ismoved downward, and the gate is fully closed, should for any reasonthere be a failure to stop the motor, the head 55 will engage the disk49 and will press the disk tlownward toward the disk The springs 52arecom-pressed, andthe disk 50 is pressed closely against the frictionring 54 of the miter gear 42. As the friction increases, the load uponthemotor increases, and when the increase has reached a selected degree.the

overload release of the motor control will be dicators 61 and 62,respectively operated by the screw, in a manner to be presently de-These indicators indicate the extent of travel. of the screw, and at theend of its movement in each direction, one of the indicators will engagea rocker to open the motor circuit. On the upstroke the rocker 5,9 isoperated by the indicator 6-1, and on the downstroke the rocker isoperated by the indicator '62. The indicators are connected-to the-head55 by flexible members 63. which pass upwardly from the head oversuitable pulleys '64 and downwardly to the respective indicators.

Manually controlled mechanism is provided for turning the shaft 44.The'saidinechanism comprises -a shaft 65 journaled in -a bearing arm .66on the platform '67 which supports the motor and the gearhousing. and ina casing-'68 which houses the gears 45-a1'1d '46. The said shaft hasloosely journalled thereon a pinion 69 meshing with thegear wheel 45,and the pinion may be coupled to the shaft 65 by a clutch 70. The clutchis operated by a lever 71. and a shaft wheel 72 is secured to the shaft65 for turning the same. With this arrangement, when it is desired tooperate the screw by hand, the clutch isoperated to connect the shaft 65withthe pinion'69. 'lVhen nowthe shaft is rotated, the drive shaft 44 ofthe screw will also beoperated.

It will be evident from'the description that mechanism'is provided, inthe form of limit switches for opening-thecircuit of1the motor at thelimit ofthe travel of the screw in each direction. 7 .Othermec'hanism isprovided, positively controlled-by theinovement of the screw, .foroperating the overload'release of'the motor controlnearrthe limit of the-movement of the screw in each direction.

Furthermore, mechanism is provided for permitting the screw to beoperated manually in case of an emergency. When the gate is closed, thepin and slot connection 33 34;, permits a limited movement of the screwatter the closing. It is during this period that the head 55 compressesthe springs 52 to operate the overload release.

In practice a controlling switch for the current is installed in thepower house, in order that the circuit may be controlled from thispoint. This is of especial advantage when the power house is at adistance from the gate house motor, and of especial im portance when thegate is used at the entrance ot the passageway to a water turbine. incase the turbine governor should fail to cause the turbine guide valvesto be closed. In such event the motor could. be at once operated toclose the gate. This switch is shown at 7 5 in Fig. 1, it beingunderstood that the switch may be arranged wherever desired. The switchis interposed in the circuit 76 of the motor, and it will be obviousthat the motor may be started or stopped by means of the switch. Theswitch may be arranged at any desired point, or other switches may beprovided. if desired.

What is claimed as new is:

1.111 combination, a gate for controlling the flow through relativelylarge passageways, such as pen stocks and turbine flumes inhydro-electric power development, a pivotal connection between the gateand the walls of the passageway enabling the gate to swing on a fixedsubstantially horizontal axis intermediate the top and bottom of thegate, sealing means on the passage walls engaged by the top and bottomof the gate when it is substantially perpendicular to the direction offlow through the passage, the gate composed of a plurality of separablesections including an axis and wings, the wing above the axis when thegate is closed of greater area than the wing below the axis, and meansconnected with said last named wing on the inlet side of the gate tolift said wing to open and to lower said wing to close the gate.

2. In combination, a gate for controlling the flow through relativelylarge passage ways, such as pen stocks and turbine iiumes inhydro-electric power development, a pivotal connection between the gateand the walls of the passageway enabling the gate to swing on a fixedsubstantially horizontal axis intermediate the top and bottom or" thegate, sealing means on the passage walls engaged by the top and bottomof the gate when it is substantially perpendicular to the direction offlow through the passage, the gate composed of a plurality of sectionsincluding an axis and wings, the wing above the axis when the gate isclosed of greater area than the wing below the axis, and means connectedwith said last named wing on the inlet side of the gate to lift saidwing to open and to lower said wing to close the gate, each sectionhaving integral eyes for the attachment of hoisting mechanism and thelike for handling the sections during transportation and installation.

3. In combination, a gate for controlling the flow through relativelylarge passageways, such as pen stocks and turbine flumes inhydro-electric power development, a pivotal connection between the gateand the walls of the passageway enabling the gate to swing on a fixedsubstantially horizontal axis intermediate the top and bottom of thegate, sealing means on the passage walls engaged by the top and bottomof the gate when it is substantially perpendicular to the direction offlow through the passage, the gate composed of a plurality of sectionsincluding an axis and wings, the wing above the axis when the gate isclosed of greater area than the wing below the axis, and means connectedwith said last named wing on the inlet side of the gate to lift saidwing to open and to lower said wing to close the gate, the axis havingoppositely disposed plane substantially parallel faces, and the wingsabutting said faces, and means to connect the wings to the axis at bothfaces of the gate.

a. In combination, a gate for controlling the flow through relativelylarge passageways, such as pen stocks and turbine flumes inhydro-electric power development, a pivotal connection between the gateand the walls of the passageway enabling the gate to swing on a fixedsubstantially horizontal axis intermediate the topand bottom of thegate,

sealing means on the passage walls engaged.

by the top and bottom oi the gate when it is substantially perpendicularto the direction of flow through the passage, the gate composed of aplurality of separable sections including an axis and wings, the axishaving oppositely disposed plane substantially parallel faces, and thewings abutting said faces, and means at each face of the gate extendingin the plane of the gate to connect the sections, each o1 the said meansbeing independent of the other.

5. In combination, a gate for controlling the flow through relativelylarge passageways, such as pen stoeks and turbine iiunies inhydro-electric power development, a pivotal connection between the gateand the walls of the passageway enabling the gate to swing on a fixedsubstantially horizontal axis intermediate the top and bottom of thegate, sealing means on the passage walls engaged by the top and bottomof the gate when it is substantially perpendicular to the direction 01flow through the passage, the gate composed of a'plurality of sectionsincluding an axis .and wings, the axis having oppositely disposed planesubstantiallyparall'el faces, and the wings abutting said faces, andmeans to connect the sections at each face of the gate, each of the saidcon-' opposite walls of the assage way and the gate for supporting'thegate to swing on a relatively fixed axis, means on the passage way wallsadapted to be engaged by the gate when said gate is in closed positionsubstantially perpendicular to, the axis of the passage way, the gatecomprisinga plurality of sections including an axis, and wings connectedto the axis, the wing above the axis of greater width than the other forthe purpose specified, said other wing counterweighted.

7. In combination, a gate comprising a central portion provided at itsends with means to mount the gate for swinging move ment, lateral wingsconnected to the central portion and extending in opposite directionstherefrom, the central portion and each wing chambered, and rods in oneof the wings extending into the chambers thereof for the purposespecified.

8. In combination, a gate comprising a central portion provided at itsends with means to mount the gate for swinging movement, lateral wingsconnected to the central portion and extending in opposite directionstherefrom, the central portion and wings chambered, and means within thechambers of one wing to connect counterweighting material to the wing.

9. In combination, a passageway, a butterfly gate pivoted therein, andmeans cooperating with the gate for sealing the space between the gateand the passageway at the upper side of the gate, said means including astrip of resilient metal extending radially of the passageway againstwhich the gate closes.

10. In combination, a passageway, a butterfly gate pivot-ed therein,means coopcrating with the gate for sealing the space between the gateand the passageway at the upper side of the gate, said means including astrip of resilient metal extending radially of the passageway againstwhich the gate closes, and a rigid support for the strip.

11. In combination. a passageway, a butterfly gate pivoted therein,means cooperating with the gate for sealing the space between the gateand the passageway at the upper ide of the gate, said means including aresilient strip secured to the wall of the passageway and extendingradially thereof and against which the gate closes, and a rigid guardextending from the passage'waywallbeyond the strip on the inlet sidethereof. 7

12. A gate for controlling the flow through relatively largepassageways, such as pen stocks and flumes in hydro-electric powerdevelopment, of sectional construction, comprising apliirality ofseparable sections including an axis substantially rectangular in crosssection, and wings having plane edges of substantially the samethickness as the axis and abut-ting opposit'efaces of the axis, andmeans connecting the sections, said means extending in the plane of thesections separable and accessible to enable the assembling of thesections in the place of instalilation.

13. A gate for controlling the flow through relatively largepassageways, such as pen stocks and flumes in hydro-electric powerdevelopment, of sectional construction, comprising a plurality ofseparable sections including an axis substantially rectangular in crosssection, and wings having plane edges abutting opposite sides of theaxis and connected thereto, the connections being separable from thesections, located at both faces of the gate within the planes of saidfaces and accessible to enable assembling of the gate at the place ofinstallation.

14L. A gatefor controlling the flow through relatively largepassageways, such as pen stocks and flumes in hydro-electric powerdevelopment, of sectional construct-ion, comprising a plurality ofseparable sections including an axis substantially rectangular in crosssection, and wings having plane edges of substantially the samethickness as the axis and abutting opposite faces of the axis andconnected thereto, the connections extending inthe plane of the gate andbeing separable from the sections and located at both faces of the gate,and within the planes of the said faces and accessible to enableassembling of the gate at the place of installation, the connections atone face being directly between the wings and spanning the axis.

15. A gate or valve for large passageways, comprising a plurality ofindependent sections, including an axis and wings, a plurality ofremovable connections between the wings and the axis at one side of thegate, and separate removable means directly connecting the wings acrossthe axis at the other side of the gate, said means spanning the axis andindependent thereof.

16. A gate or valve for large water passage ways comprising a pluralityof sections including an axis and wings, connections between the wingsand the axis at the outlet side of the gate, and means directlyconnecting the wings across the axis at the inlet side of the gate, saidmeans spanning the axis, and comprising headed members, the wings havingspaced lugs between which the headed members pass, the heads engagingoutside of the lugs.

17. A gate or valve for large water passage ways comprising a pluralityof sections including an axis and wings, connections beand comprisingheaded members, the wings having spaced lugs between which the headedmembers pass, the heads engaging outside the lugs, the axis having ateach wing spaced lugs between which said means pass.

18. A gate or valve for large water passage ways comprising a pluralityof sections including an axis and wings, connections between the wingsand the axis at the outlet side of the gate, and means directlyconnecting the wings across the axis at the inlet side of the gate, saidmeans spanning the axis, and comprising headed members, the wings havingspaced lugs between which the headed members pass, the heads engagingoutside of the lugs, the first named connections comprising bolts. thesections chambered, and the bolts within the chambers, the sections atthe outlet side of the gate having openings to enable access to thebolts.

Signed at Charlotte, in the county of Mecklenburg, and State of NorthCarolina this sixth day of September A. D. 1924:.

WVILLIAM S. LEE. DAVID NABOW.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York thisthird day of September A. D. 1924.

RICHARD PFAEHLER.

